Film Review: The Open Door (人生开门红) (2025) - China
Rating: 8/10
Reviewed by Andrew Chan (Film Critic Circle of Australia)
2025 Review Count - 62
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Tagline: A riotous, if uneven, exploration of internet fame that proves even the most curated lives can’t escape the messiness of reality. Stay for the laughs; ponder the paradoxes long after.
In an era where viral fame can turn a sidewalk sausage vendor into an overnight sensation, “The Open Door”, directed by the irreverently witty 叫兽易小星 (Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing)—delivers a sharp, satirical jab at the absurd theater of internet celebrity. This 2025 Chinese comedy, bubbling with chaotic energy and a cast of endearing misfits, is less about chasing fame than surviving it. Like a live-streamed car crash you can’t look away from, the film balances slapstick antics with a surprisingly tender heart, even if its satirical edge occasionally dulls under the weight of its own ambition.
Zhou Dajiang (常远, Chang Yuan), a humble烤肠哥 (sausage vendor), finds himself thrust into the spotlight after a PR disaster forces him to pose as the “prefabricated boyfriend” of Xia Haimo (邓家佳, Deng Jiajia), a glamorous influencer whose life is as curated as her Instagram feed. Their faux romance, orchestrated to salvage the reputation of a pompous tycoon (王耀庆, Wang Yaoqing, oozing comedic arrogance), spirals into a ludicrous odyssey of livestream mishaps, algorithmic pandering, and the existential dread of going viral.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its unflinching parody of China’s influencer economy. Scenes of Zhou bumbling through scripted “candid moments” or Xia Haimo frantically editing reality to fit her brand are both hilarious and horrifying—a reminder of the performative labor behind every “authentic” post. Yi Xiaoxing, known for his digital-native humor, leans into meta-jokes: a subplot mocking clickbait trends (“10 Ways to Fry Your Sausage Like a Pro!”) and a supporting turn by real-life comedian 李宗恒 (Li Zongheng) as a scheming manager add layers of self-awareness. Yet, the script (co-written by Yi and team) occasionally prioritizes punchlines over depth, leaving themes like identity and exploitation simmering but undercooked.
Chang Yuan shines as the everyman-turned-meme, his deadpan bewilderment anchoring the absurdity. His chemistry with Deng Jiajia crackles—she deftly navigates her character’s arc from icy influencer to a woman questioning her own facades. The supporting cast, including 田雨 (Tian Yu) as a scheming agent and 修睿 (Xiu Rui) as a bumbling sidekick, injects manic energy, though some roles feel underutilized (a cameo by 蔡国庆 as a pretentious “artiste” begs for more screen time).
Technically, the film is a carnival of color. Cinematographer 何山 (He Shan) frames the live-stream sequences with claustrophobic close-ups, juxtaposing the glitter of Xia Haimo’s world with Zhou’s greasy street stall. Editor 屠亦然 (Tu Yiran) keeps the pacing brisk, though the final act’s rushed resolution—a sentimental twist involving Zhou’s mother (李萍, Li Ping)—feels tonally jarring. The synth-heavy score by 朔凡 (Shuo Fan) nails the hyperactive vibe of viral content but occasionally drowns quieter moments.
“The Open Door” doesn’t reinvent the comedy wheel, but it doesn’t need to. Its humor, rooted in the specific madness of China’s digital gold rush, offers universal truths about the cost of fame in the attention economy. While its third act stumbles into predictable tropes, the journey—packed with laugh-out-loud gags and a surprisingly poignant critique of authenticity—is worth the price of admission. For a generation raised on likes and shares, this is a mirror held up with both mischief and mercy. (Neo, 2025)